Did Jesus Teach Denominationalism?

Denominationalism is an evident phenomenon that becomes increasingly clear every time you step out the door. There are literally thousands of different groups with different names and different doctrines scattered throughout our world, each claiming to be the “right” church without saying they are the “right” church. Denominationalists recognize this phenomenon and, though they believe different methods of salvation, they will blanket everyone who claims Jesus as being "right" with God. “Whatever church is right for you is the right church for you.” But what about what is right to God?

Denominational Beliefs: The Sheep of Another fold

To help people understand and accept the division that denominationalism has brought on our world, many churches will use passages from the Bible to defend their beliefs. One such passage is John 10:16, where Jesus speaks of sheep who are not a part of the group He is with. John 10:16 says:

“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Taking this verse for what it is, it certainly seems plausible that Jesus could be talking about denominations. If this is true, the separate folds represent denominations, the flock represents the global church (all believers), and the shepherd represent Jesus. The Mormon Church has interpreted this verse as a special revelation prophesying their church being added to the flock. Perhaps interpreting this verse with bias and closed perspective could yield these beliefs, but what is Jesus actually saying?

The Problem & Solution

Amongst these denominational interpretations, there remains a glaring mistake that conceals the truth. These interpretations are made by using the Bible to defend certain beliefs. It would seem imperative to some to use the Bible to defend their beliefs because it’s the Word of God, but the problem exists in the way it’s used. Beliefs don’t determine what the Bible says; the Bible determines our beliefs (or at least that’s how it should be). If you search the Bible to defend your views of murder, alcoholism, lying, and abortion you will find verses to prove your point. That doesn’t mean, however, that a verse means what you want it to mean. Instead, we must aim to learn what the Bible is actually saying. To do this we must consider context.

The Key is in the Context

Context is defined as, “the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.” If we want to understand Jesus' statement, we have to find out who He was talking to, when He said it, and lastly why He was saying it. We must look at the whole passage to figure out the meaning (the surrounding verses is a good start). Let’s consider Jesus' statement about the sheep of another fold in its context.

1. Who - Jesus starts talking about the sheep in John 10:7, addressing “them”. We see in John 9:35-40 that Jesus was in the company of the healed blind man and some Pharisees. Because Jesus doesn’t leave and no one arrives, we can know that this is His immediate audience. We know very little about these people except they were Jews.

2. When - We know that Jesus was speaking before His death (John 19), before the establishment of the church (Acts 2), and before Gentiles were allowed into the kingdom (Acts 10). We can also assume that He was in or around Jerusalem not far from the temple (John 8:2). If Jesus was at the temple we can also assume other Jews were in the area.

3. Why - Knowing Jesus was talking to Jews in Jerusalem, it’s time to look at the passage. At the beginning of John 10, Jesus reveals that He is the shepherd of His sheep (He takes careof them, leads them, and is known by them). Jesus continues in verses 7-13 to talk about His relationship with his sheep, the wolves, and the hired hand, revealing that Jesus is willing to die for His sheep. John 14-18 says:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

It is clear that at the end of this passage that Jesus is prophesying His death and resurrection and that he will die for all His sheep (both those with Him and another fold).

The context reveals that Jesus would die for those with Him and those of another fold. Who was with Him (the audience)? Jews. When was it written? Before salvation was offered to the Gentiles. Is it possible that Jesus isn’t talking about denominationalism but instead the salvation of the Gentiles? To find out, we must look at the final step of context: What else does the Bible say about it?

Salvation Belongs To…

Consider what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:11-16 (See also Acts 15:7-9; 28:28; Rom 10:12).

"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Doesn’t this sound like the language Jesus used when talking about the other sheep? The key is remembering the two folds of sheep and what was done with them: they were brought together. In the Old Testament, Gentiles had no salvation because salvation was in the Law of Moses. Jesus saved the Gentiles through His death, offering salvation to all people and bringing them all into His church.

Jesus Never Taught Denominationalism

Every study of denominationalism using scripture will end up much like this study: revealing something unrelated to denominationalism. The Bible teaches that Jesus built His church. This church is the body of Christ and is revealed to be the only body that Christ has, outside of which there is no salvation. In a world where there exists the idea of denominationalism, and worse yet, the acceptance of multiple methods of salvation, we must strive to learn the truth of God’s Word rather than bend the scriptures to our beliefs.

Yours in Christ,

Zack